Formateur Silveria Jacobs.
PHILIPSBURG--The installation of a new government for St. Maarten is expected to become a reality soon. Formateur Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs has presented the formation report to Governor Eugene Holiday. Jacobs told The Daily Herald via her public relations officer that the report was presented to Holiday on Monday.
The details of the report could not be ascertained. However, it is expected that several of the current ministers will return in the new cabinet – some in different capacities. Jacobs is expected to retain her post as Prime Minister. National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Anna Richardson had told this newspaper earlier that she was one of the candidates being screened for the post of Justice Minister in the new government.
Jacobs was appointed Formateur on January 16, and the Formateur was requested to finalise her report by February 23. Holiday had requested Jacobs to form the new government which has the support of a broad majority in Parliament, to foster political stability, consisting of ministers committed to the development and execution of a governing programme aimed at the promotion of St. Maarten’s well-being, its people and its economy, infrastructure and security.
He had said at the time that the new government should give priority to concluding the legislation regarding the combating of money laundering and financing of terrorism, including the Penal Procedure Code; and development of initiatives aimed at the sustainable socio-economic recovery of St. Maarten, including the execution of the agreements made with the Netherlands and the World Bank regarding, among other things, the rehabilitation of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) and the construction of the new St. Maarten General Hospital.
Furthermore, it should aim to realise sustainable government finances, including the completion of the 2020 budget; the safety and security of St. Maarten by investing in the strengthening of the law and order services, amongst which the Police Force and the prison; the improvement of our environment with an emphasis on realising sustainable waste management solutions; and the amending of the electoral laws by bringing the Ordinance Registration and Finances of Political Parties and the Election Ordinance in accordance with the Constitution.
